Direct observation of heterogeneous chemistry in the atmosphere
The heterogeneous replacement of chloride by nitrate in individual sea-salt particles was monitored continuously over time in the troposphere with the use of aerosol time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Modeling calculations show that the observed chloride displacement process is consistent with a heterogeneous chemical reaction between sea-salt particles and gas-phase nitric acid, leading to sodium nitrate production in the particle phase accompanied by liberation of gaseous HCl from the particles. Such single-particle measurements, combined with a single-particle model, make it possible to monitor and explain heterogeneous gas/particle chemistry as it occurs in the atmosphere.
Gard
EE
E. E. Gard, D. S. Gross, B. D. Morrical, D. P. Fergenson, T. Dienes, M. E. Galli, K. A. Prather, Department of Chemistry, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA. M. J. Kleeman, L. S. Hughes, J. O. Allen, R. J. Johnson, G. R. Cass, Departme.
Kleeman
MJ
Gross
DS
Hughes
LS
Allen
JO
Morrical
BD
Fergenson
DP
Dienes
T
E Galli M
Johnson
RJ
Cass
GR
Prather
KA